When disaster strikes, we come together to help each other. Getting prepared is about knowing your neighbors, saying hi to the regulars at the local market, and staying in touch with family and friends—both digitally and in person.
Connect through your digital networks
In the event of an emergency, we all turn to our existing tools and networks—many of which are digital. Think about your connections and the online communities you’re already a part of, so you can share updates and information when something happens.
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Use your Facebook account
- Now: Create a Facebook group with your inner circle so you can easily send messages, share supplies, and make a plan together. Like us on Facebook to get tips and updates.
- In an emergency: Post your status to Facebook to let friends and family know you are ok.
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Check updates on Twitter
- Now: Add emergency accounts to your Twitter feed, to stay informed. Some of our favorites: SMCSheriff, @GoSamTrans, @Caltrain, 511 and 311.
- In an emergency: Post about yourself and your area. Use #SMCReady to include them in the crowdsourced emergency feed.
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Sign up for SMCAlerts
- Now: SMC ALERT is an alert notification system used to immediately contact you during urgent or emergency situations. You can set alerts to send emergency and non-emergency text and voice messages to your email accounts, cell phones, smart devices, voice messages to landline phones (home & work)
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Meet your neighbors on Nextdoor
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Sign up for Airbnb
- Now: Create an AirBnB profile so you are ready to find or share a place to stay if anything happens.
- In an emergency: Find a place to stay, or share your place with those in need.
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Save documents on Google Drive
- Now: Scan personal documents like your driver’s license, passport, and birth certificate. Save digital copies in the cloud through Google Drive.
- In an emergency: Access your documents remotely in case you can't get home. Know that there is a safe copy in the cloud.
Connect through your local networks
Your neighborhood networks are important in an emergency too—consider the connections you already have—to your yoga studio, craft collective, spiritual groups, or friends in the neighborhood—so you can band together if something happens.
Your neighborhood networks are important in an emergency too—consider the connections you already have—to your yoga studio, craft collective, spiritual groups, or friends in the neighborhood—so you can band together if something happens.
Some examples include:
school, congregation, workplace, yoga class, bookclub, neighborhood bar
Learn more from our partners
To get even better prepared as a household, neighborhood, or community, connect with these organizations.
American Red Cross
American Red Cross, Bay Area Chapter provides a variety of trainings including first aid, CPR, and how to prepare for emergencies.
http://www.redcross.org/ca/san-francisco
CERT
CERT educates individuals about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.
https://smccacert.samariteam.com
The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Homeland Security Division
The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Homeland Security Division works daily around the clock by air, land and sea to prepare and protect our residents from a range of threats.